Books Tom's Crossing by Mark Z. Danielewski (Author)

"Tom's Crossing" by Mark Z. Danielewski is a magisterial, expansive novel set in the fictional town of Orvop, Utah, in 1982. The story centers on terminally ill teen Tom Gatestone, who forms a bond with a new kid, Kalin March, over their love for two horses, Navidad and Mouse, owned by the menacing local meat processing plant owner Orwin “Old” Porch.

As Tom nears death, he pleads with Kalin to save the horses from the slaughterhouse. Kalin promises and embarks on a dangerous mission to liberate the animals, taking them through the state's rugged canyons and mountains toward a symbolic refuge called Tom's Crossing. Along the way, Kalin is haunted by Tom’s ghost, who only Kalin can see and communicate with, while being pursued by Old Porch’s son, Russel, and protected by Tom’s younger adopted sister, Landry.

The narrative is complex, blending suspense, a coming-of-age adventure, and a Western with deeply drawn characters including an effectively menacing villain in Old Porch. The journey explores themes of loyalty, courage, friendship, and survival, climaxing in a high-stakes shoot-out. The novel is layered with a haunting atmosphere, a rich portrayal of the landscape, and moments of both tragedy and hope.